Paul M. Clough, Professor of Anthropology from the University of Malta’s Faculty of Arts, has issued the book Morality and Economic Growth in Rural West Africa, published by Berghahn Books, New York and Oxford.

This economic ethnography of Islam in West Africa should interest anyone concerned with the interface between global economy and local society.

Gavin Williams, from Oxford University, had only words of praise for the publication. He is quoted as saying that this is a remarkable book with field work of extraordinary richness. Williams states that the study is meticulous in its attention to detail and sensitive to the people whom he (Paul Clough) is studying. 'The statistical material is richer, more extensive, better grounded, and thus more accurate in its measurements than in any other West African study of which I am aware. The concept which binds the study, "non-capitalist accumulation", is distinctive and original and will make a new and valuable contribution to future research of rural societies', he said.

Michael Bollig, from the University of Cologne, agrees that 'The [author’s] period of fieldwork results in an amazingly dense description of economic processes. Quantitative and qualitative data is analysed and presented in a fascinating manner. The chapters on money lending, on labour relations and on trade I rate superb… the theoretical analysis and modeling is highly significant and important.'

Click here for the flyer (50% discount until 31 July) and here for details about this new publication on the Berghahn website.